Parliament Question: Rainfed Area Development of PMRKVY

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE & FARMERS WELFARE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5205 TO BE ANSWERED ON 24TH MARCH, 2026 RAINFED AREA DEVELOPMENT OF PMRKVY 5205. SHRI SAUMITRA KHAN: Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE कृ िष एव ं िकसान क(cid:670)ाण मं(cid:361)ी be pleased to state: (a) the details of activities undertaken under the Rainfed Area Development (RAD) component of the Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (PMRKVY) in West Bengal, especially Bankura, during the last five years, year-wise; (b) the details of funds allocated, released and utilised for RAD in West Bengal during the said period, year and district-wise; (c) the number of farmers and villages covered under RAD in West Bengal along with details of integrated farming systems, water conservation projects and soil management activities undertaken; (d) whether any evaluation has been conducted on the impact of RAD in improving farm productivity, income levels and climate resilience in West Bengal and if so, the findings thereof; and (e) whether any proposals from West Bengal for expansion or new projects under RAD are currently pending and if so, the details and current status thereof? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE कृ िष एवं िकसान क(cid:670)ाण रा(cid:475) मं(cid:361)ी (SHRI RAMNATH THAKUR ) (a) to (c): Government is implementing Centrally Sponsored Scheme of Rainfed Area Development (RAD) across the country including West Bengal since 2014-15. The scheme focuses on promoting Integrated Farming System (IFS) in the country for enhancing productivity and minimizing risks associated with climatic variability. Under the scheme, crops/cropping system is integrated with activities like horticulture, livestock, fishery, agro-forestry, apiculture etc.As reported by the State Government of West Bengal, during the last five years, against central allocation of funds of Rs. 7638 Lakh, Rs. 6802 Lakh has been released to the state, out of which, Rs. 6566 lakh has been utilized. 30072 ha area has been covered under Integrated Farming System, benefitting 72145 farmers in 18 districts covering 563 villages in the State. District wise data is not maintained centrally. Year wise details of central share released and utilised under RAD are as follows:- Year Details of Central Share of Funds under RAD (Rs. In Lakh) Allocation Released Utilized 2021-22 700 350 350 2022-23 800 688 679 2023-24 1048 1048 1048 2024-25 1100 1125 1061 2025-26* 3990 3591 3428 Total 7638 6802 6566 *As on 19.03.2026 Year wise details of activities undertaken under the progarmme during last five years in Bankura district as provided by state government of West Bengal is as under:- Activity (unit) 2021-22 2022-23 2023-24 2024-25 2025-26* Area under Integrated 508 930.08 816 701 1497.54 Farming System (ha) Fisheries (Nos.) 535 1134 769 864 2544 Vemicompost (Nos.) 09 10 01 864 2544 *As on 19.03.2026 (d) & (e): Evaluation Study of RAD Program has been carried out by NITI Aayog in 2025.The Study found that RAD interventions, when bundled and implemented in a site-appropriate manner, have proven to be effective in enhancing livelihood security in vulnerable agro-climatic zones and has resulted in substantially enhancing adaptive capacity in drought-prone regions. 61.27% of the beneficiaries described the impact as very positive in respect of boosting resilience against climatic shocks, either through soil-moisture conservation, diversified cropping systems, or landscape-based development approaches. The scheme is demand driven and State submit their Annual Action Plan according to the requirements of the State. *****